Once again, we’re experiencing volatile markets. During these times, it’s common to hear the following statements: It isn’t time to panic. This has happened before. Make sure the pension plan’s asset mix is correct. While these messages may be good advice for individual investors, defined contribution plan sponsors should be considering how to help their employees. Here are […]
The solvency levels of Canadian defined benefit pension plans are down off the back of roiling equity and bond markets in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Aon’s latest median solvency ratio survey found DB plans were down 6.7 per cent on average, from 102.5 per cent in early January to 95.8 per cent at […]
The Dow Jones Industrial Average started the week by dropping about 1,000 points on Monday. Then on Tuesday, it did it again. For institutional investors grappling with such fully valued equity markets, a dip like this could represent a buying opportunity. But should they go for it? The coronavirus — worries over its further spread, […]
With the task force on climate-related financial disclosures becoming increasingly common in institutional investor circles, how can Canadian pension plans start to use its guidance effectively? During a webinar hosted by the Association of Canadian Pension Management on Tuesday, Maria Montero, climate change program head at the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, said her organization […]
Quebec’s closed the door on the idea of forming a pension benefits guarantee fund to protect members in retirement plans sponsored by employers that have declared bankruptcy. Finance Minister Éric Girard said Tuesday that no such measure would be included in the provincial budget set to be released March 10, reported Radio-Canada. In explanation, Girard […]
The City of Toronto has completed the transfer of its Metropolitan Toronto Pension Plan to the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System. The Metro plan was the last of the City’s four defined benefit plans to move to OMERS, following the Corporation of the City of York Employee Pension Plan, the Metropolitan Toronto Police Benefit Fund […]
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is seeking feedback on its approach to monitoring single-employer defined benefit pension plans with benefits that could be at risk. The regulator said it will evaluate risks to pension benefits by their nature, size, complexity and potential impact on all plan stakeholders. It will focus its regulatory resources […]
The Iron Ore Co. of Canada has purchased a $560 million group annuity buy-in that covers more than 3,700 defined benefit plan beneficiaries and current retirees. The transaction with Sun Life Financial and Morneau Shepell Ltd. represents the largest Canadian same-day deal with a single insurer, according to a press release. “We continue to see these transactions […]
The current market environment continues to push institutional investors into alternative assets, seeking both yield and diversification, but not all options are created equal. Hedge funds, according to JP Morgan’s alternative asset outlook, will gain further traction as new technologies capture investor attention in 2020. “As tech spending continues across industries, our managers anticipate opportunities as […]
North American envelope marker and marketer Supremex Inc. is purchasing a $46 million group annuity buy-in through RBC Life Insurance Co. The deal covers 361 defined benefit plan pensioners, beneficiaries and deferred vested members. It comes on the heels of an almost $7 million transaction made in June 2018 for a smaller group of members […]